The Little Things – Leadership Skills with UTS BUILD

I was unsure what to expect when I attended my first BUILD event, the Introduction to Leadership Workshop. I expected it to be a boring conference in which we sat and did icebreakers for the entire time before hearing the speaker lecture. I was mistaken and was pleasantly surprised by the outcome! This event focused on the ins and outs of becoming a leader. The room was filled with like-minded BUILD members eager to expand their knowledge and grow as a leader. This workshop has taught me a few tips and tricks for becoming a successful and confident leader.

I’ve always been told that a firm handshake is important in life, but we learned in this workshop that there’s a lot more to standing out in a room. It could be the way you present yourself, how you stand, how far away you are from the other person, or the type of questions you ask during the conversation. There was no time for timidity in the workshop; we were there to learn, so the best way to do so was to become uncomfortable and participate. We looked at all of the important stages of a conversation. Communication is one of the most important aspects of the workplace. With good communication, much can be accomplished, and there are no unclear spaces or other issues that arise as a result of poor communication. Then we discussed public speaking and how to engage an audience. Public speaking requires practice and is not easy, but learning some tips at this event boosted my confidence. We then finished by defining the type of leader you are. This may sound general, and why should it matter what type of leader you are, but at the end of the day, learning which leadership qualities you possess and identifying the qualities in people with whom you work best can result in a strong and productive team. To be successful, one must embrace differences. If everyone was built the same way, the world would be a boring place with few accomplishments because everyone had the same ideas. Embracing differences can help you build stronger relationships, create a more enjoyable workplace, and make everyone happy.

All of the key takeaways from this experience will be useful in the workplace, and I plan to apply the skills as soon as possible. I realized how much room there is for growth and that I will never stop learning. At this event, I was also able to connect with people from very different workplaces and life experiences. It was great to meet people from all over with the same goal in mind: growth. We were encouraged to share linked in information with the people we met, which could be a useful tool in the future, because who knows where the world will take us! I will remember that piece of advice and apply it more! I am grateful for this workshop and will definitely attend future events hosted by BUILD, because learning never ends!

Elle Nicholson
Exchange Undergraduate Student from the USA

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